A place for reviews and discussion of current music from independent artists and composers, as always, all feedback is welcome and appreciated

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Saturday, July 6, 2013

Jordan Tetewsky: The Orchestra is the Violin

The violin is a versatile instrument, every composer knows
this. We are taught very early on that the range, variance in expression, and overall
tonal capabilities are fairly unmatched in the string family and especially the
violin. Even so, from Mozart to Berlioz we would think that everything which
can be done on the violin has been done. So, imagine my surprise when stumbling upon
the composer and performer; Jordan Tetewsky through his YouTube channel
breathing freshness into the instrument that I frankly didn’t know was
possible.

Tetewsky certainly embraces technology; the looping pedal
seems to be a frequent tool in his works. We have seen this kind of innovation
before, mostly from guitarists who perform solo but desire a more ensemble feel
to their songs. With the violin, however; the looping and reverb effects take
on a somewhat otherworldly quality, very futuristic, yet very approachable at
the same time. It’s ethereal and often soundtrack-like in the best possible
way. The rhythms generated from pizzicato breaths pulse underneath lush
melodies which always tend to stay
interesting.

I suppose what is most interesting to me about Jordan
Tetewsky’s pieces is that he manages to never fall into the boundaries of
triteness in his works. Electric violin
has taken a little bit of a beating in recent years with the popularity of acts
such as “Celtic Women” who tend to cater to the 40+ crowd. Tetewsky, on the
other hand appears right in line with the best that contemporary/intelligent
art has to offer.